And just like that, within a matter of days, the jury has reached a verdict in Apple vs. Samsung. The basic gist is simple: Apple's software patents are valid, and many Samsung devices infringe upon them. Apple's iPhone 3G trade dress is valid, and Samsung's Galaxy S line infringes, but other devices did not. Samsung did not infringe Apple's iPad design patent. Apple did not infringe any of Samsung's patents. Apple is awarded a little over $1 billion in damages. Competition lost today, and developers in the United States should really start to get worried - software patents got validated big time today.

I view this as a win for Apple, a win for consumers, a not-loss for Samsung and a loss for Google. The lawyers of course, they won on all sides!.

Apple's IP has been protected. They spend a lot on R&D and deserve to profit from that expenditure without Samsung or anyone else copying it! Companies will stop spending money on R&D if they can't protect their investment. Yes some of the patents maybe questionable but they work within the (possibly broken) system. Instead of bitching about Apple, change the system! Google, Samsung, Microsoft all play within the system.

Consumers will have a larger selection to chose from because companies will produce more diverse products. This will take several years for the new designs to hit the shelf but they will. And a couple may even be revolutionary! You don't think Samsung will stop making phones do you? I didn't think so. More diversity in the market and more competition for Apple are very good things for all involved.

Samsung will be forced to differentiate their products from Apples products, increasing the variety and type of phones on the market. This will be good for Samsung in the long run. Even if they pay the $1B Samsung won't feel it! ... much! After all that profit was made on the back of Apple IP.

Google will have to differentiate Android from iOS. They will need to spend a lot of money on a product they make very little from. Common! Google stole a number of things right off the iOS desktop. That part is obvious to anyone that takes a critical comparison of the two devices. If you don't see it you are blind or just a troll!

Krreagan

PS. Oh ya! My retirement just moved up by about 3years because I own lots of AAPL stock The ramifications of this decision will be driving the stock up for many months to come. Wahooo!!!